The U.S. Air Force’s X-37B spaceplane recently completed its Orbital Test Vehicle 7 (OTV-7) mission, lasting 434 days in low Earth orbit. Launched on December 28, 2023, by a Falcon Heavy rocket, the X-37B successfully demonstrated advanced orbital maneuvering capabilities, including aerobraking—a method for altering orbital altitude without engine thrust, thus minimizing engine visibility to potential adversaries. This mission showcased the spacecraft’s ability to execute complex operations, such as detaching its service module and conducting aerodynamics-based maneuvers within the upper atmosphere. Reports suggest that the X-37B could potentially be equipped to carry nuclear warheads, offering the capability to strike strategic targets on Earth with minimal warning, thereby enhancing the tactical options available to U.S. military operations in space. The successful completion of OTV-7 not only underscores the X-37B’s operational versatility but also reinforces the growing role of space-based assets in modern defense strategies.
